community business classes

It’s not the lack of money that makes people poor. It’s the lack of ideas and the entrepreneurial mindset. In many places, including Guinea-Bissau, people are raised to follow the leader. That’s a great asset, and an important part of society. Unfortunately, creativity and the ability to look for ways to provide a service or a product to the community hasn’t been fostered in that environment.

In an effort to help struggling churches, LEAD initiated a community business training program. Our staff visit churches of all types and offers training not only to church members but to those who are not Christians. In these classes participants are exposed to a new understanding of what business is and why it exists. They learn what their most important assets are ­ and it’s not money. They are given examples of how to find business ideas, and what it takes to put together a simple plan. They learn what “capital” is and are given examples of ways to create a business without a lot of money.

We have found that providing education in these areas has far exceeded our expectations. Community and church based business groups have started without our oversight. We’ve heard from some of these seminar hosts that their churches have experienced dynamic increase in revenue.

Education and exposure to new ideas empowers people to help themselves.